Deuteronomy 19: Lessons on Jesus and His Justice from the Cities of Refuge

Jesus is a just and fair judge1

Introduction: After giving the Sixth Commandment against murder, God required that mankind distinguish between premeditated murder and deaths that result from either accidental or negligent conduct. For those who had been falsely accused of first degree murder, He promised to appoint a place where the accused “could flee” to in order to receive a fair trial: “He who strikes a man so that he died shall surely be put to death. But if he did not lie in wait for him, but God let him fall into his hand, then I will appoint you a place to which he may flee. If, however, a man acts presumptuously toward his neighbor, so as to kill him craftily, you are to take him even from My altar, that he may die.” (Ex. 21:12-14). God later revealed to Moses the first three of six “cities of refuge” where the priests could give the accused protection and a fair trial (Nu. 35:1-34; Dt. 4:41-43; 19:1-13). After the Jews invaded the Promised Land, God revealed to Joshua the names of three additional cities (Josh. 20:1-9). If the Jews acted in faith to seize all of the lands promised to them, He promised to reveal three additional cities (Dt. 19:8-10).

The Law written our hearts. The concept of a place of refuge is something that God imprinted onto the hearts of mankind throughout the world (Jer. 31:33; Ro. 2:15). For example, long before Westerners arrived on the large island of Hawaii, the indigenous peoples set up a city of refuge called “Pu`uhonua” where an islander could flee if he or she broke a law that carried the death penalty. There, the high priest could purify the refugee of any sin and later set the person free to begin a new life. As another example, many Western countries have laws to grant asylum to those who are persecuted in their home countries for religious and other reasons.

Application today. With the modern development of courts and a civil and criminal justice system, it might be tempting to look at a city of refuge as an anachronism from a more primitive era. Yet, the principles behind the cities of refuge can and should serve as a guiding force in society and in your personal life. In Old Testament times, the priests administered both the cities and the trials. Today, any believer in Christ is part of God’s holy priesthood (1 Pet. 2:5, 9). As one of God’s priests, there are seven principles behind these cities that can and should apply to your life. First, like the cities of refuge, Christian countries should be places of refuge and hope for the oppressed and persecuted. Second, the cities of refuge all foreshadowed Jesus. You should therefore direct those who have sinned, feel persecuted, or are under siege to find refuge in Him, the one place where they will find true peace. Third, the cities were meant to be visible beacons of hope on the hills around the people. You should likewise fulfill your calling to be His light to others. You should also be a source of refuge and comfort for the oppressed, the depressed and the brokenhearted. Fourth, balance your compassion with your calling to be a source of divine justice. Keep strict boundaries between what is right and what is wrong. Fifth, the elders at the cities of refuge had to thoroughly investigate alleged wrongs. You likewise cannot turn a blind eye to injustice in the world around you. Sixth, the priests protected the rights of the accused by requiring two or more witnesses to prove a charge. You should likewise protect the rights of the accused. You must also protect the rights of victims, unless you are the victim. When you are the accused, you must trust God to protect you. Finally, justice requires that properly proven wrongs be punished. God cannot ignore sin, nor should you. Jesus clarified that vengeance is not a personal matter. Through civil institutions, believers should insist that crimes be punished in proportion to the wrongs committed. You must forgive those who hurt you. Yet, you should still allow civil society to impartially and fairly punish wrongdoers.

1. The Cities of Refuge (God’s Protections for the Rights of the Accused). Dt. 19:1-10.

2. Seven Connections Between Christ and the Cities of Refuge. Heb. 6:18.

(1) Christ is our refuge. These six cities of refuge all foreshadow Jesus. It is to Him that we “have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us.” (Heb. 6:18). “The Lord also will be a stronghold for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble;” (Ps. 9:9). “Each will be like a refuge from the wind and a shelter from the storm, like streams of water in a dry country, like the shade of a huge rock in a parched land.” (Is. 32:2). The three cities on each side of the Jordan river symbolized the full presence of God (the Trinity) whether a person seeking refuge was a believer or not. God does not want any to perish (2 Pet. 3:9). Are you looking to help people find their refuge in God’s eternal city? (Ps. 46:1; 91:2). Are you seeking refuge in Christ in your times of trial and tribulation?

(2) The six cities of refuge also individually represent Christ. The names of the six cities of refuge also individually symbolize what Christ provides when you seek refuge in Him:

God provides places to ensure His justice2

(3) Jesus in the location and characteristics of each city. As stated above, Jesus is the light of the world (Jo. 8:12). For the weary traveler looking for freedom from the yoke of sin, He burns as a beacon of hope. Like the roads to the cities of refuge, the roads to Him are always clear. His Word is a light to keep you on the path to Him (Ps. 119:105). Likewise, just as the city gates were never closed, He is always available.

(4) The cities symbolized the power of Jesus to save us from judgment. We are all sinners (Rom. 3:23; Rom. 5:12; Ps. 58:3). The wages of our sin is death (Rom. 6:23). Just as the city of refuge allowed for the innocent or those who committed unintentional murder to escape death, Jesus also offers a refuge from death (Rom. 10:9-10, 13; Jo. 5:24; 10:28-29). If you have ever been angry with your brother or called someone a fool, you have also committed an act of murder (Matt. 5:21-26; 1 Jo. 3:15-16). Likewise, if you have broken one of the laws, you are guilty of having broken them all (Jam. 2:10-11). The cities, however, protected only those people who were innocent of murder or those who had been killed through acts of negligence or by accident. By contrast, Jesus is a refuge for any sinner, including murders. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 Jo. 1:9).

(5) The cities were available to all, just like Christ. God strategically placed the six cities throughout the lands on hills with open roads so that no one would need to travel far to find refuge. Jesus is also ready to accept any one who will believe in Him. Through the Bible, the path to Him is also clear and easy to find. “Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be brought low; and the crooked places shall be made straight, and the rough ways shall be made smooth.” (Lk. 3:5).

(6) A person who delayed in entering the city might face death. Although the cities of refuge were available to all, a person who failed to quickly avail himself of God’s means of protection might face death. For example, Saul’s commander Abner went to the refuge city of Hebron after killing a man named Asahel in self-defense in battle (2 Sam. 2:18-24). Yet, because he stepped outside the city, Joab, Asahel’s older brother and David’s commander, killed Abner at the city gate before he could return (2 Sam. 3:27). David later remarked that Abner died as a fool for failing to stay with God’s protections that were available to him (2 Sam. 3:32-34). The same warning could be given to everyone. A person like Abner could only be saved by staying within the sanctuary of a city of refuge. There was no way for a convicted murderer to pay a ransom for his or her own murder (Nu. 35:31-32). Like the cities of refuge, Jesus offers the exclusive means of salvation. Christ came to offer the ransom that people could not pay for their acts of murder (1 Tim. 2:5-6). “And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12). “For, ‘everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord will be saved.’” (Ro. 10:12-3). Your friends and family could die any day in an accident. If they have put off accepting Jesus as their refuge, they could die like Abner at the gates of the eternal city and be denied entry. What are you going to do to warn the unsaved?

(7) Through Jesus’ death, you are no longer restricted to a place of refuge. A person convicted of manslaughter could not be freed until the death of the “high priest.” (Nu. 35:25, 32; Josh. 20:6). Jesus is our High Priest (Heb. 8:1). If you have “taken refuge” in Him (Heb. 6:18), His death released you from your punishment before God: “Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and death.” (Rom. 8:1-2). “If the Son therefore shall make you free, you shall be free indeed.” (Jo. 8:36). God further is not limited in what He can do with a murderer. Moses committed first degree murder against an Egyptian (Ex. 2:11-12). David sent Uriah to his death to have his wife Bathsheba (2 Sam. 11). Paul also committed first degree murder against Christians (Acts 7:23-28; 9:1). These leaders were not limited in their ability to serve God. Knowing their crimes and the punishment for their crimes, they appreciated God’s mercy and grace that much more. If there is anything in your past that keeps you from serving, it is not from God. What are you doing to show your gratitude? If you are still sinning, how grateful are you?

3. Christians as the Cities of Refuge – Be a Light and Source of Comfort to Others.

4. Laws of Landmarks – Keep Your Boundaries Between Good and Evil. Dt. 19:14.

5. Allegations of Wrongdoing Must be Confirmed by More than one Witness. Dt. 19:15.

6. The Innocent Must Be Protected From Perjury. Dt. 19:16-20.

God’s justice requires a fair and impartial trial3

7. Punishment Must Be Proportionate to the Crime. Dt. 19:1-13; 21.